The best Advent calendars are, real talk, one of the biggest highlights of the holiday season—if not the biggest. Each beautifully packaged box is filled with hidden surprises that count down the 24 days before Christmas or the 12 days that follow. The best Advent calendars extend the magic of the holiday season, make for some of the greatest gifts, don’t usually require wrapping, and are a fun annual tradition to share with your loved ones.
Though you still have time before December 1, it’s a smart idea to order your calendar sooner, as many are limited-edition sets that sell out quickly. There’s a huge range of options to choose from—the classic food and chocolate Advent calendars, of course, but also luxe beauty Advent calendars that give you a taste of cosmetics and skin care bestsellers (Sephora’s and Charlotte Tilbury’s are among our faves); jewelry Advent calendars from high-end companies like Astrid & Miyu and Liberty London that are decked out with gold and gems; Advent calendars for kids and adults; and even sex toy Advent calendars (see Lovehoney’s box filled with BDSM accessories).
As Glamour’s shopping editors, we’ve tested a lot of Advent calendars over the past decade. Going into the holiday season, we have the bestsellers and exciting new calendars sent into our office so that we can assess their design, variety, and value. Below, we’ll share the best Advent calendars we’ve evaluated, as well as videos of what some look like in person, so you can get a better idea of what you’re buying and what’s worth it. Cheese, red wine, vibrators, Legos, lip gloss—there’s a great Advent calendar for everyone, and we’ll make sure you know about it.
Best Beauty Advent Calendars
Every year we eagerly await the beauty Advent calendar drops. These boxes give you tastes of some of the most desirable cosmetics and skin care products. Renowned beauty brands like Kiehl’s, Ulta, La Mer, and L’Occitane offer minis and full-size bottles of their cult-favorite lotions, creams, serums, and makeup. Right now the Liberty Advent calendar is well on its way to selling out. Behind the doors of the British department store’s box are 28 luxury beauty products from Sunday Riley, La Mer, Paula’s Choice, Ouai, and more. Sephora’s Advent calendars are stuffed with full-size makeup, skin care, and hair care goodies (our editors got to peek themselves). Last year Charlotte Tilbury’s calendar was a huge hit with a collection of full-size producs like its Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes Mascara and Airbrush Flawless Setting Spray; it’s available now in this gorgeous heart-shaped tower that definitely deserves a forever home on your dresser. While Anthropologie's beauty advent calendar is sold out, we urge you to jump on the waitlist to snag the brand's beauty favorites from Lanolips, Peter Thomas Roth, Supergoop! and more. And let’s not forget British Vogue’s deluxe calendar, which is full of cosmetics, skin care, jewelry, and more handpicked by the magazine’s editors (and available for preorder now).
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Best Advent Calendars for Adults
Advent calendars are certainly not reserved for kids anymore (though we’ve got some great options for them below). Plenty of retailers develop more grown-up offerings, many of which focus on self-care, wellness, home decor, food, and entertainment. On our wish lists: 12 days of delicious-smelling Voluspa candles, a wine Advent calendar, and a delicious nod to one of the best holiday movies in recent history (cough, Elf), which is full of Mr. Narwhal sugar cookies, dark chocolate hot cocoa, and maple syrup. Real fans know.
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Best Advent Calendars for Teens
Tough-to-please teens may give you a glimpse of childlike glee when they arrive for breakfast on December 1 and one of these calendars is waiting for them. After all, a love for Disney and Marvel transcends decades, and this teen gift from W7 provides them with a range of simple beauty products to play around with (perfect if they’re beginners to makeup). A festive calendar provides them with everything they need to deck out their manicure with holiday nail art (including a macaron-shaped LED lamp). Have a Swiftie in your house? This calendar helps them build a bracelet jingling with Taylor-themed charms.
Best Advent Calendars for Kids
If you remember that fluttery feeling in your stomach from every time you unboxed a kids’ Advent calendar during childhood, then you’ll definitely want to impart the countdown magic to the little ones in your life. This Barbie Advent calendar for kids was a hit last year (as was Lego’s), and we’re sure this will continue into 2024. Fuel their love for science and nature with this cool National Geographic DIY STEM gift box, which is full of gemstones and exciting science-experiment kits. A box of cute, comforting Squishmallows is perfect for the kid with a stuffed animal collection, while a hands-on Lego Advent calendar kits them out all with a winter wonderland of characters. Just say it’s all from Santa.
Best Chocolate Advent Calendars
Trying to find a great gift for a family member? Hear us out: chocolate Advent calendars. They’re gratifying and won’t take up any space once all the treats have disappeared into your loved one’s stomach—if they can restrain themselves from stuffing every single day’s candy into their mouth. You can already preorder some of the show-stopping calendars from artisan patisseries and French chocolatiers such as Vosges Haut-Chocolat. You’ll also find a festive calendar with more than a pound of See’s fine chocolates inside that’s ripe for shopping.
Best Advent Calendars for Men
What do you gift men who claim they already have everything they need—but will pout if they don’t get a present? Try an upscale Advent calendar that would feel right at home in James Bond’s abode. Cigars and cocktails, anyone?
Best Food Advent Calendars
Whatever flavor puts you in the holiday mood—gummies, gingerbread, fresh fruit, jams, truffles, tea, hot sauce, milk chocolate, cheese, olive oil, or some wacky combination of the above—the best food Advent calendars deliver. Many also double as Christmas decorations, with packaging so pretty that they merit a spot of honor on the counter. (Alternatively, they can be gifted to everyone on your list, no wrapping needed.) Here’s what’s making our stomach grumble right now: a calendar full of gourmet cheeses and pairings, a 24-day tea Advent calendar, and a tree-shaped box that’s bursting with servings of savory popcorns.
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Best Jewelry Advent Calendars
Our favorite jewelry brands make special gift boxes for December—and they’re some of the first to fly off the shelf (and out of stock). You’ll find giant, gilded 12- and 24-day Advent calendars that hide diamond studs, personalized pendants, and real gemstone necklaces from brands and retailers like Liberty London, Missoma, and Abbott Lyon—as well as simple buildable bracelet kits for kids. Psst: You can preorder the popular Astrid & Miyu calendar now using code ADVENT24.
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Best Sex Toy Advent Calendars
Though sex toy Advent calendars are technically also for adults, we figured they deserved their own category, since there’s such a range. These gift boxes add some sexy surprise to your winter. We’re partial to this whopper from Lovehoney. It’s brimming with some of the best vibrators we’ve written about (like the Womanizer Liberty 2 suction toy and We-Vibe Sync Lite long-distance vibrator), dildos, cock rings, BDSM gear, and accessories such as paddles, blindfolds, massage candles, and lube. There’s something for everyone.
